THE REASON FOR THE INVITATION

Genthru walks along a stone path with Gon and Killua following. He explains, "Besides our group, there are many guys who, for various reasons, keep an eye on the starting point. My task is surveillance and invitation. Yeah, have you been watching us since the start?" Genthru offers, "I'll tell you the reason for that too, if you come with me." Killua asks, "How 'bout that?" Genthru replies, "Of course, after hearing us out, you can still decide whether or not you want to join us." Killua thinks, "I can't help but think there's something behind this." Genthru says, "Sure." In a wide panel, Genthru gestures while speaking, "Anyway, for first-timers like you, I think just to listen to my explanations is valuable in itself. About this game: how difficult, harsh, and terrible it is. Everyone, when they realize this, becomes much more receptive to my offer. But to understand why we need companions, you obviously need to have some notion..."

Gon stares forward with wide eyes and asks, "Is it just because we're kids?" Genthru replies that they could just be players returning after leaving the game at the starting point. He questions why they think it is their first time. Genthru then offers, "I'll give you the explanation." In a close-up, he continues, "Again, I could tell you to come with me to understand why... Feh..." Gon and Killua react with surprise as Genthru suddenly holds up a book and shouts "BOOK!" The book opens with a burst of pages. Genthru looks down at the open binder and states, "Any player used to this game will do so without fail. When your opponent takes out his binder, you do the same thing immediately." In the background, a large building looms as Genthru concludes, "From this situation, one can deduce you're beginners."

Genthru explains that countering a spell card with another spell card is an important rule. He notes that the boys already experienced a spell cast on them and do not trust him, yet they still did not take out their binders. He adds that bluffing is also an important weapon and that experienced players will take out their binder even without a single card. In the distance, Gon and Killua stand together while Genthru walks away. Killua says, "Ah, I see." Gon suggests, "It's better to get as much info as we can." Killua agrees, "Killua, let's go." Genthru turns and asks, "So, you have changed your mind about listening to me?" Gon replies, "Hmmm... Well... If it's out in the open." Killua thinks that Genthru is suspicious because of the earlier spell.

In the open plaza, scattered figures stand and sit on wide stone steps under the daylight. Gon and Killua turn their heads sharply, spiky hair catching the light, while a group of players gathers on the stairs. A tall man in a long coat stands with hands on hips, addressing the crowd. A girl with pigtails and a large man in a dark uniform sit among others. Someone remarks that others were invited too. The man in the coat continues, noting that the two earlier arrivals flatly refused to listen. Gon and Killua exchange glances as the speaker asks if everyone is present and questions the whereabouts of the two from earlier. A voice answers that one player arrived at the same time as another and that a player was just killed over there. The man in the coat turns and asks if they shall begin. Another replies, "I see."

Genthru stands facing Gon and Killua, explaining the first examinee accepted was a strongly built man with black hair whose belly exploded from the Bomb Devil's signature move. The two boys listen intently. A close-up shows a man with a scar touching his chin thoughtfully. Genthru points forward, declaring he will first clear up what is on their minds. He raises a hand and states there are forty types of spells total, covering attack, movement, defense, and so on. He continues that the victim was not killed by a spell because among the spells in the game there is not one that kills or injures people. Genthru adds that the spells received are of the investigation type such as Trace or Adhesion, so it was not just him. In the background, players remain seated on the steps while Gon and Killua stand listening.

A close-up shows Genthru with a serious expression as he speaks. "WHAT CARDS HE HAS," one bubble reads. "THE LOCATION OF THE PLAYER," says another. Below, a row of reaction faces appears: Gon with wide eyes, an older man frowning, Killua staring intently, a young girl with pigtails looking concerned, and a stern man with a scar. Genthru continues explaining the risks. "IS LIKE HAVING HEAVY SHACKLES PLACED ON YOU," he states. "BEING UNDER THESE SPELLS LIKE YOU ARE NOW," follows. "IN THIS GAME, IT'S A REALLY DISADVANTAGEOUS SITUATION," he adds. "THAT BECOMES A BIG OPENING FOR THE ENEMY." He warns further: "IF, AFTERWARDS, YOU GET YOUR HANDS ON SOME IMPORTANT CARDS, THEY WOULD APPEAR IMMEDIATELY TO TAKE THEM BY FORCE." "SOME GUYS KEEP WATCH AROUND THE STARTING POINT JUST TO PUT THESE SPELLS ON THE NEW PARTICIPANTS." In the lower panels Genthru identifies the threat. "A 'PLAYER HUNTER,' THE MOST VIOLENT TYPE," he says. The mustached man replies, "NO, HE WAS KILLED BY SOMEONE OF A DIFFERENT SORT." Genthru notes, "LIKE THAT GUY THAT WAS KILLED EARLIER." The mustached man declares, "I WON'T LET MYSELF BE KILLED THAT EASILY." Genthru concludes, "IN THE WORST CASE, YOU'LL LOSE YOUR LIFE."

A dark silhouette of a man stands against an explosion. "WE CALL HIM THE 'BOMB DEVIL,'" a voice explains. "THE ONE WHO KILLED THAT PLAYER YOU KNEW IS ONE OF THEM." In the city, figures discuss the killers. "DISCREETLY LOOKING IN ON A TARGET, TAILING IT AND KILLING WITHOUT REVEALING THEIR TRUE FORM," one says. "THEY ARE PROBABLY PATROLLING THE HIGH PLAINS." Another notes, "WHICH IS TO SAY, WE DON'T KNOW MUCH." "WHAT WE KNOW OF HIM IS THAT HE'S A NEW USER OF EITHER EMISSION OR MANIPULATION." The group infers, "WE INFERRED FROM THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATHS AND THE MANNERS IN WHICH THE EXECUTIONS WERE CARRIED OUT THAT THERE ARE AT LEAST FOUR OF THESE GUYS IN EXISTENCE." A wide city view shows buildings and mountains. "AND THE SITUATION IS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE," one warns. "THIS GAME CAME INTO THE WORLD OVER TEN YEARS AGO." In the final panel Killua raises three fingers and asks, "SIMPLY PUT, IN THIS GAME, THERE ARE ABOUT THREE WAYS TO GET ITEM CARDS. DO YOU KNOW THEM?" Gon stands nearby while Genthru watches from the side.

Genthru stands with his back partly turned, speaking to Gon and Killua. "Yeah, that's ②," he says while raising two fingers. A small panel shows Gon replying "Ah! I see!" Genthru continues, "Trade with another player." Gon asks, "That's ①," and Genthru answers, "Yes," pointing upward. "Search for the cards yourself," he adds. Genthru then tells them, "You're a pretty clever bunch," and confirms, "Exact- ly." Gon and Killua listen closely as Genthru explains, "Then ③ is to take them from other players." The discussion shifts to the rising number of players who have given up on searching or trading. Genthru holds up three fingers and states the three main methods while noting other ways exist if they go into detail. The page ends with a close-up of card frames labeled E-90 and F-185. Genthru explains, "This system, with the difficulty of acquisition and the limit on the number of copies of the same card, and the reason is."

Genthru continues explaining the card system. "So even if you can't get the cards, the number of convertible items increases," he says. Silhouettes illustrate menacing other players, taking binders by force, and killing resisters. Gon asks about the example of a card limited to three copies held by three people. Genthru replies that if one dies the ring disappears with all card data. The panel shows stick figures and binder icons demonstrating how a new player can then convert the item. Gon reacts with shock, saying "This can't last for much longer." A splash panel shows ink splatters as the situation grows heated and killing opponents becomes an appealing option. Genthru concludes, "If you kill an opponent, you can't take his cards. This rule was clearly built to prevent players from killing each other."

A man with spiky hair and a light jacket stands dramatically with one arm raised high, addressing a group. "OUR GROUP WANTS TO PUT AN END TO THIS SITUATION," he declares. "WE'RE GATHERING TEAMMATES TO DEFEAT THE GAME." His intense close-up follows as he continues, "WE'D LIKE TO HAVE YOUR COOPERATION." Below, a row of faces shows Gon, Killua, a girl with large eyes, and others listening intently. In the lower panels the speaker explains his group's options while resting his chin on his hand: "I CAN GUESS WITHOUT EVEN ASKING." He lists the methods: "① SEARCH, USING OWN ABILITY, ② TRADE, ③ ROBBERY; WHICH DO YOU CHOOSE?" Another panel adds, "THERE ARE, MORE OR LESS, THREE WAYS TO GET CARDS." A side character asks, "BY WHAT MEANS?"

Genthru appears in close profile, the number 3 visible on his ear device. In the next panels he reacts sharply to an off-panel comment: "THAT'S WRONG! WHAT, SO IN THE END IT'S JUST TAKING BY FORCE?" A stern man with curly hair replies, "STRICTLY SPEAKING, ALL THREE ARE USED, WITH MORE WEIGHT ON ③." Genthru counters with wide eyes, "THOUGH YOU COULD CLASSIFY IT AS 'ROBBERY' IF YOU WANT. WE WON'T USE VIOLENCE." Background figures discuss spells. The curly-haired man asks, "THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO EXPLAIN. SO HOW THE HECK ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE THE CARDS?" The final close-up shows the curly-haired man asking, "RIGHT?" and stating, "TAKE THEM WITH SPELLS."

On wide stone steps outside a large building, a crowd of people mills about as voices discuss the situation. Someone says, "HE'S RIGHT." Another replies, "I'M JUST USING MY FIRST TIME." A stern man with slicked-back hair asks, "HAVE YOU BEEN HERE BEFORE?" Genthru, the spiky-haired man, stands prominently and declares, "USE SPELLS TO GATHER CARDS." He continues explaining, "THERE ARE SPELLS TO STEAL CARDS, AND OTHER SPELLS TO GUARD AGAINST THOSE SPELLS. AMONG THE 40 TYPES OF SPELLS, THERE ARE ATTACK AND DEFENSE SPELLS." In a dramatic lower panel, a clenched fist is surrounded by floating cards as Genthru states, "WE WANT TO ACHIEVE A MONOPOLY ON THOSE CARDS."

Genthru continues his explanation while facing right, noting, "THE COPY LIMIT ON CARDS HAS BEEN A HEADACHE FOR THE PLAYERS. NOW WE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT." A large man in a black outfit with a cross emblem replies, "EXACTLY." He elaborates on the strategy: "THEN, USE CARD STEALING SPELLS TO GET THE CARDS YOU WANT FROM THE BINDER POCKETS OF OTHER PLAYERS. FIRST GET A MONOPOLY ON THE DEFENSIVE CARDS SO THAT THE ENEMY WON'T BE ABLE TO PROTECT THEIR CARDS." Genthru adds, "THE NUMBER OF CARDS NECESSARY FOR THE MONOPOLY, COMBINED WITH OTHER CARDS WE'D LIKE TO HAVE AS WELL, COMES TO A TOTAL OF ABOUT 1900 CARDS." In the final panels he outlines group needs: "WE HAVE ABOUT 53 MEMBERS RIGHT NOW... PLUS OTHERS LIKE US FROM THE OPERATIONS GROUP... THE IDEAL GROUP WOULD HAVE ABOUT 70 MEMBERS TOTAL. TO STORE THESE IN FREE SLOTS IN THE BINDERS, WE NEED ABOUT 45 MEN. AND CLOSE TO 800 SPELL CARDS." Gon and Killua watch silently from the side.

A man with glasses addresses the group. "IF WE POOL TOGETHER THE CARDS FROM ALL THE MEMBERS, WE ALREADY HAVE 70% OF THE NECESSARY CARDS. THE ITEMS IN THE IMPOSED SLOTS TOTAL 67." A short-haired man adds, "WE ALSO HAVE A GOOD IDEA ABOUT THE WHEREABOUTS OF THE REST OF THE CARDS." Another panel shows discussion continuing: "BUT MONTH AFTER MONTH, THE CARDS AND NUMBER OF NEW MEMBERS INCREASED. WHEN THIS IDEA WAS CONCEIVED ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO, IT SEEMED COMPLETELY UNATTAINABLE." Gon, Killua, and two companions listen intently as the man with glasses continues, "BUT WE PLAN TO GO ON THE OFFENSIVE WHEN WE GET 1300 CARDS. IT DEPENDS ON THE KINDS OF CARDS WE'LL BE ABLE TO COLLECT. WHEN I MENTIONED 1900 CARDS AND 70 MEMBERS, I WAS JUST SAYING THE IDEAL NUMBERS." An older man with a mustache states, "TO GATHER ALL THE CARDS. FROM THE MOMENT WE ATTACK, WE THINK WE'LL NEED ABOUT ONE MONTH. AFTER THIS ROUND OF RECRUITING, WE'LL STOP INVITING NEW MEMBERS. WHICH MEANS THAT MOST LIKELY..." In a dramatic full-width panel, a man with curly hair and a serious expression leans forward and demands, "IS IT YES OR NO? SO, NOW..."

A wild-haired man with spiky locks glares sharply to the side, teeth bared in a fierce expression. His right fist is clenched tightly in the foreground. Small circular symbols float near his head. Stylized text reading "MO.11" appears beside his shoulder. The entire page is dominated by his intense, confrontational presence against a stark white background.